• Disability Services
• Solidarity Program

Solidarity Program: Disability Inclusion Through Connection

Because inclusion begins with understanding — and understanding begins with connection.

The Solidarity Program is a powerful disability immersion experience that brings together school students, workplaces, and people living with a disability. Through real-world, hands-on learning, the program supports building empathy, breaks down barriers, and helps create a more inclusive society.

The Solidarity Program helps young people and professionals:

• Gain a deeper awareness of the daily experiences of people with disability
• Reflect on their own assumptions and attitudes
• Develop compassion, respect, and inclusive thinking
• Be empowered to advocate for accessibility and inclusion in their own communities.

Whether you’re interested in teaching your students about human dignity, or providing your workplace with authentic diversity training, the Solidarity Program offers a unique opportunity to walk in someone else’s shoes.

"“Before the Solidarity Program, I had never really thought about what it meant to live with a disability. Meeting people and hearing their stories changed how I see the world and my place in it.” — Year 11 Student"

"“This experience challenged our team in the best way possible. It brought a whole new level of meaning to our diversity and inclusion goals.” — Workplace Participant"

To find out more about Solidarity Program or to make a booking:

What to Expect from the Solidarity Program

This program allows school students to immerse in hands-on experiences that allow them to spend time with people living with a disability.  These shared moments create space for authentic interaction, allowing participants to see beyond labels and come to know the person, their personality, preferences, and story.

Facilitators lead interactive sessions that explore what it means to live with a disability in today’s world. They’re conversations sparked by real-life stories and reflections from people with lived experience. Participants are encouraged to consider the barriers people face, not just physical but social and systemic, and to reflect on how language, attitudes, and design can either be excluded or included.

The experience doesn’t end when the day is over. For those who want, CatholicCare Sydney offers pathways for deeper involvement, whether volunteering, supporting awareness campaigns, or developing inclusion-focused projects back in their communities.